This past month, the moms I'm working with are showing me especially the effects of high cortisol and adrenaline continuing due to assorted circumstances, and how that influences postpartum experience and managment. Actually, their hot flashes or feeling easily hot in the body are showing me what is going on, and a midwife confirmed this is from the high adrenaline.

Some time ago we talked about the research showing how Nature gives mothers high cortisol levels to be able to care for and protect her newborn infant even though she is so exhausted usually. This puts her in chronic fight/flight including high adrenaline, which heats.

The cortisol also slows or shuts down digestion in favor of other processes, so appetite is commonly low even though needs are great. Chronic high cortisol levels also come from use of antidepressants, coffee, refined sugar as used in "modern" culture, and of course real or immagined button pushing lions-tigers-and-bears OH MY! stress triggers.

This state of affairs keeps us wound up and ready to fight - a good protective mechanism except for the keeps us part. Held at a high, the effects keep mobilizing blood sugar, pumping the insulin pathways craving quick burning energy also. Which creates a pattern of blood sugar swings, also lays it back down as fat when we don't use it, and tells the body to make more of it in a poor quality cholesterol form for reserves. Chronic stress in some body types manifests as both prediabetic symptoms, and weight gain. Or depletions and energy drain in more vata aggravated format.

Since heat is a sign of high pitta, not only is the vata excessive (as with all women after birth), Pitta mind and emotions manifest as heated things like perfectioninst, irritability, frustration, anger, even rage and suicidal type depression tendencies in excess can occur.

Vata mind/emotions can show up as spaciness, forgetfulness, anxiety, blues, obsessive, compulsive, depression that tries to do something about it or override it in denial, psychosis and other symptoms.

But back to dealing with the heat. It is interesting, we need to address vata, it is pushing the whole thing. Yet much of vata management increases warmth and oiliness. Some antiinflammatory supports which cool and don't increase vata may help, and the essential oils can be big gift here. Hormonals like Shatavari, wild yam need some digestive support too. At this early postpartum time, extra support with warming/agni increasing spices is indicated, so the cooling has to happen in other ways. Massage with coconut or sunflower, instead of sesame, or half sesame only, may be appropriate. There are many variations which depend on circumstances. Swelling, sandalwood added to herbals helps cool and reduce edema. So does gokeshura. This could be much longer article than there's time for and I'd love to see input from others.....

Namaste;
Ysha